VZCZCXRO3146
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHMB #0008 0080745
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080745Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY MBABANE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3841
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS MBABANE 000008 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S FOR MAYA HARRIS, DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC PHUM SOCI WZ
SUBJECT: RECKLESS POLICE SHOOTINGS INCREASE DURING CRACKDOWN ON 
CRIME 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: Calls by high level government officials for police and 
security forces to use "maximum force" and be "tough and ruthless" 
to fight a rising crime rate have led to a drop in crime and a surge 
in reckless shootings and killings of suspects.  Some shootings have 
occurred in public locations in situations that may have warranted 
less lethal methods.  On January 6, the Ambassador and RSO met with 
Police Commissioner Isaac Magagula, who stated that the various 
shooting incidents were justified.  Regardless, he welcomed RSO's 
invitation to review their current policies with the firearms 
training department and was open to suggestions on how to improve 
their procedures.  END SUMMARY 
 
Rise in Crime Prompts Crackdown 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  In 2009 Swaziland experienced a spike in criminal activity, 
especially in the larger cities of Mbabane, Manzini and Matspaha. 
Local newspapers were riddled with articles on the increase in 
robberies, rape, black market smuggling of cars and cigarettes; and 
the trafficking of marijuana, cocaine and heroin. 
 
¶3.  In July 2009, the Royal Swazi Police Services were tasked with 
reducing serious crimes by 12% every year over a four year period. 
In August 2009, Prime Minister Dlamini warned that the police would 
not hesitate to use "maximum force" in the line of duty should the 
situation demand.  The Commissioner of Police echoed this sentiment 
as he vowed that police would be "tough and ruthless on crime" and 
that police officers would now carry firearms every time they go out 
on assignment, instead of just for dangerous operations.  COMMENT: 
To date not all Swazi police are equipped with firearms, but they 
are generally equipped with handcuffs and batons.  END COMMENT. 
 
Crime Falls by End of 2009 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  According to press reports, by November 2009 crime fell by 6.4 
percent, compared with statistics from January-October 2008. 
Carjacking decreased by 33 percent, armed robbery decreased by 29 
percent, possession/cultivation of habit forming drugs decreased by 
26 percent, and both murder and rape decreased by 19 percent.  Other 
crime statistics did increase, such as fraud by 10.55 percent and 
unlawful possession of firearms by 7.8 percent. 
 
Police Tactics Dangerous for Suspects and Bystanders 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶5.  The decrease in overall crime comes at a heavy price for 
suspects involved in criminal acts, as well as increased risks for 
bystanders.  With the decrease in crime came a surge in reckless 
shootings and killing of suspects in situations that may have 
warranted other less than lethal means for compliance.  Some of the 
police shootings occurred near public venues.  One shooting incident 
involved police in pursuit of a gang loitering next to the mall. 
The police chased them on foot and fired several rounds at the gang. 
 One round struck an innocent bystander, who eventually had to have 
his leg amputated.  During the first week of 2010 alone, police have 
been involved in two separate car chases involving police firing 
their weapons at the vehicles while on public streets.  One 
car-chase ended a couple blocks from the Chief of Mission's 
Residence and the other chase ended across from the U.S. Embassy. 
Police also conducted night raids on Coronation Park, located near 
an Embassy residential area, firing their weapons as suspects fled 
the area. 
 
¶6.  The Swazi military (USDF) also had its share of overzealous 
shootings.  In December 2009 there were two incidents of suspects 
smuggling vehicles across South Africa into Swaziland where the USDF 
was patrolling the borders.  One incident left two suspects dead and 
the other incident left four suspects dead. 
 
¶7.  COMMENT:  While it is impossible to know all the circumstances 
surrounding the shooting incidents, it appears that most of the 
events could have been addressed through less than lethal means. 
Shooting at a moving vehicle or a fleeing suspect rarely provides 
reason for deadly force.  Local authorities appear to lack proper 
weapons discipline techniques.  Security forces either lack a use of 
force policy or choose not to follow those guidelines.  On January 
6, 2010 the RSO and Ambassador met with the Commissioner of Police 
and discussed the shooting incidents.  While the Commissioner stated 
that the incidents were justified, he welcomed RSO's invitation to 
review their current policies with the firearms training department 
and was open to suggestions on how to improve their procedures.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
IRVING